Happy 100th birthday, Dr. Seuss

Associated Press

Published Thursday, February 26, 2004

click photo to enlarge

SYLVESTER MCMONKEY MCBEANS is a mixed bean casserole dish playfully linked to Dr. Seuss, on a menu suggested for this year's 'Seussentennial' Read Across America program celebration of the writer-illustrator's 100th birthday.

Block Institute NEW YORK -- Reading is fun and eating can be fun, too, and when the two coincide over the dinner table, children are very well served.

That's the message from the Block Institute, where staff have worked out a playful menu to coincide with national celebrations March 2 of the 100th birthday of Dr. Seuss (1904-1991), beloved writer and illustrator of children's books.

The National Education Association's Read Across America program culminates each year on or near the March 2 birthday, which this year they call a "Seussentennial."

The Block Institute is a not-for-profit, nonsectarian agency that serves developmentally delayed children and adults. Reading is important to child development, says Dr. Scott L. Barkin, the institute's chief executive officer, and so is making it fun and sharing it at home, including at the dinner table.

Note: In recipes where margarine is mentioned as an ingredient, butter may be substituted. Margarine is listed because the recipe was initially conceived for children with food allergies or sensitivities, and margarine is a way to avoid a dairy food.

Red Fish Blue Fish

1 pound "white" mild fish fillets (such as flounder, cod or pollock)

Pinch garlic power

Pinch dried basil

Pinch white pepper

1/2 cup pineapple juice

2 tbsp. butter or margarine (for nondairy)

Red food-coloring drops

Blue food-coloring drops

Preheat broiler, or oven to 350 F.

Rinse and pat dry fillets. Place skin side down on baking or broiling pan.

Sprinkle fillets with garlic, basil and pepper. In small saucepan, melt butter or margarine with pineapple juice.

Divide between 2 small dishes. To one dish add red food coloring to desired intensity.